Design Solutions

Keep everyone happy with cohesive design, says Louisa Gilhooly Q My partner and I have very different tastes – how can we create a garden we both love?

We create a cohesive design that satisfies two people with very different tastes

WHAT DO YOU DO if you and your partner have very different ideas about what you’d like from your outdoor space? One of you likes minimalist design with clean lines, entertaining and basking in the sun while the other prefers tranquillity, shade and lots of plants. By employing some design tricks and the clever use of plants it’s possible to come up with a garden that keeps both partners happy while creating a coherent, unified design.

It’s tempting to just split the garden right down the middle, but for something more interesting, here I’ve designed a layout that uses two interlocking ‘L’ shapes. This helps to merge the two distinct sections in a more subtle way, rather than there being an obvious dividing line that cuts the garden in two.

The L-shape that extends out from the house is the focus for the entertaining space and is defined by sleek and geometric hard landscaping. Planting here is kept to a minimum so there’s plenty of room for entertaining around the outdoor kitchen and dining area. This means the far end is open to the sky to keep our sunworshipper happy.

The L-shape furthest from the house meanwhile has a woodland feel, with naturalistic planting, a winding path and an abundance of planting to create a sense of lushness. A hammock strung between two trees promotes rest and wellbeing.

Dividing these ‘yin and yang’ sections are two large trough planters filled with tall grasses. These add height and provide a subtle, see-through screen, rather than using a dense evergreen hedge, which might overwhelm a small space.

To unify the overall design I’ve used the same materials throughout – adding a twist so they’re not the same each side. Here, for instance, I’ve gone for limestone paving on one side and a crushed limestone path on the other, and Corten planters on one side and Corten edging to paths on the other. I’ve also taken inspiration from the decking on the side by the house to create wooden benches on the other side of the design.

By creating distinct zones and using plants and materials to set the different tones in each half, you can create a dual-design garden that can be enjoyed equally, but in very different ways.

Create and repeat plant groups Repeat plants in the different areas to create the feeling of a unified design; here we’ve used agapanthus and holm oaks. Contrast clean lines and curves Use straight lines and geometric shapes for a contemporary minimalist look. For the more naturalistic area, look to use curves and billowy planting.

MOODBOARD Include a small tree In a small garden go for trees with light, airy canopies such as birch, as these will cast dappled shade and provide privacy without making the space feel too gloomy and dark. L-R: Woodlandstyle planting; geometric elements; linked Corten steel materials Extend the interest Underplant the grasses in the troughs with springflowering bulbs such as tulips and alliums to extend the seasonal interest. Add height Climbers don’t take up much ground space and are perfect for greening up entertaining areas. Choose a fragrant climber like star jasmine for evening scent on balmy summer nights. Restrict the colour palette Select plants with flowers that won’t jar with the muted palette of the more minimal space; here we’ve used white and yellow. BEFORE